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Step 1
Shop for supplies at local brick-and-mortar scrapbook and rubber stamp shops, crafts stores and in the crafts department of chain stores. Turn to scrapbooking websites to order essentials from the convenience of your own home.
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Step 2
Decide what type and size of album you'd like to use. Choose from three-ring binders, spiral albums and expandable post-bound and strap-hinge styles. Although the most common scrapbook sizes are 12 by 12 inches or 8.5 by 11 inches, smaller albums are also available for specialty projects and brag books.
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Step 3
Buy cardstock in an assortment of colors to serve as page backgrounds. Start with basic colors like white, black or oatmeal, then add colors to suit specific projects or coordinate with a set of photos.
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Step 4
Determine what tools you'll need. A paper trimmer and scissors are essentials, while others will help you save time and accomplish new techniques. Try paper punches, a rub-on tool, paper piercer and eyelet setter, for example.
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Step 5
Get a selection of adhesives for a variety of applications. Use tape runners, tabs or double-stick tape to adhere photos and patterned paper and liquid glues or adhesive dots to secure embellishments.
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Step 6
Gather acid-free, permanent black markers to add journaling to your pages.
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Step 7
Purchase an assortment of embellishments to adorn your layouts. Consider stickers, die cuts, rub-ons, buttons, charms, paper flowers, fasteners, transparencies and mediums like stamping ink, chalks and acrylic paint. Also, check around your house for memorabilia and decorative tidbits to add to the pages.
